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4 SheetsSheet 1.

W. S. & J. M. SMITPL (No Model.)

REOIPROGATING BRICK MACHINE.

Patented Sept. 11, 1888.

(N0 Model.)

4 Sheets Sheet 2. W. S. & J. M. SMITH.

REGIPROGATING BRICK MACHINE.

No. 389,334. Patented Sept. 11, 1888'.

illlllilll i I 5 If; I?

l lll ll (No Model.) I 4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

W. S. 85 J. M. SMITH.

REGIPROOATING BRICK MAGHINE. No. 389,334. Patented Sept. 11, 1 888.

s lll $51.It|Illllllllllllllllllllllfltmuinu I I I (No Model.) 4 SheetsSheet 4.

W. S. & J. M. SMITH.

REGIPROGATING BRICK MAOHINE. No. 389,334. Patented Sept. 11, 1888.

\VILLIAM S. SMITH AND JAMES M. Slilfllll, OF OATH, ONTARIO, CANADA.

RECiPROCATiNG BRICK=MACHINE SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent. No. 389,334, dated September 11, 1888.

Application filed OctnhcrfiS, 1881. Serial No. 253,616. (No model.) Patented in Canada November 18, 1887, No. 28,020.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, WILLIAM: STEWART SMITH and J AMES MOTAVISTL SMITH, both brick-machine manufacturers, and both of the town of Galt, in the county of Waterloo, in the Province of Ontario, Canada, have jointly invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pressed-BriclcMaking Machines, of which the following is a specification, and for which we obtained Letters Patent in the Dominion of Canada, November 18, 1887, No. 28,020.

The object of the invention is to provide a machine for making pressed brick of any thickness or any density, as desired, and which combines great strength with compactness of parts and simplicity of construction as compared with other machines of similar character, and whereby extreme pressure can be ob tained by means of a system of pivoted com pound leverage, the strain on the frame caused by the downward pressure of the upper plungers being counteracted by the upward pressure of the lower plungers, so that there is no appreciable strain on the frame under any pressure, however great, and it consists, essentially, of plungers adapted to move up and down in vertical ways, so as to compress the brick, the upper plunger rising while the lower plunger is being lowered, and vice versa, both deriving motion by means of one pitman orshaft connected with the driving gear-wheel; also means provided for adjusting the distance between the plungers, so as to regulate the thickness of the brick; means for regulating the amount of clay supplied to the molds and of indicating the quantity; an automatic device for supplying sand to the top and bottom of the brick; a reciprocating feed-frame adapted to carry clay from the hopper to the molds by means of a cam-actuated system of levers, and to shove the brick after being pressed onto a table outside the frame of the machine; means provided for carrying clay to hopper, and an automatic device for raising the brick on the lower die out of the molds to the same plane as the bottom of the reciprocating frame and the discharge-table, all of which is hereinafter more particularly described.

Figure l is a perspective view of the machine from the front. Fig. 2 is a side eleva tion of the far side of the machine, as shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional elevation. Fig. 4 is a detail showing hopper,

sanding device, reciprocating feed frame, mold-openings, and discharge-table.

In the drawings like letters of reference indicate similar parts in the different figures.

In Fig. 1, A is the main frame of the machine, with parts partially broken away to illustrate the means of operating the upper plungers. In this view the upper plunger-s, B, are shown elevated, while the lower plungers, O, are depressed, four bricks corresponding in number to the plungers having been pressed and removed from the discharge-table D. The mold-openings E, from which the bricks have been ejected, are also shown, as more fully explained under Fig. 3.

F is the sand-box in front of the reciprocating feed-frame G, and H one of the guiderods on which the reciprocating feed-frame G is adapted to move. (Vida also Figs. 3 and 4.) The feedbox is here in position to bring forward a fresh supply of clay to the mold-openin s.

1 is a drum on shaft J, driven by the belting which operates, by a series of gear-wheels, K L M, (oidc Figs. 1 and 3,) the geared drivingwheel N'on the main shaft 0.

P is the crankshaft or pitman, pivoted on the driving-wheel and on the movable shaft Q, which carries a series of lever-arms, which operate the hinged pressure-frame It 1%, giv

ing vertical motion to the upper plungerframe, S, adapted to move in ways '1, formed on the main frame. The arm U is pivoted to the fixed shaft S at one end and to the movable shaft Q at the other. The arms V are similarly pivoted to the movable shaft Q and to the eccentric-cam WV, which operates the pressurerods X X, the mechanism for raising and low ering the upper and lower sets of plungers be ing similar on both sides of the machine.

Y is a fixed eccentric-camshaft, on which is pivoted the hinged pressu reframe R R, hinged at- Z. There are two or more lever-arms, a, pivoted at one end to the upper movable shaft, Q, and at the other to the hinged shaft Z, and another set of arms, b, pivoted to the fixed shaft S and the upper movable shaft, Q. (Vida Fig. 3.) Part of the pressure frame B has been broken away to show one of the arms a.

By reference to Fig. 3 it will be seen how an up-and-down motion is given to the upper plungers, B. lrVhen the movable shaft Q is drawn down by the crank-shaft P, S and Y being fixed shafts, the arms a and b and R R, the hinged pressureframe, become spread, forming, as it were, sets of toggle jointsand the lower portion, It, of the pressure-frame acquires a downward mot-ion, causing the plunger-frame S to move through the ways T and the upper plungers, B, descend. \Vhen the movable shaft is raised again by the revolution of the drive wheel, the action is of course, reversed and the plunger-frame rises through the ways T.

In Figs. 1 and 2 the mode of operating the lower plungers, O, is indicated. Y is a-fixed eccentric-cam shaft, on which the eccentric-cam W is pivoted, 0 being the long arm of eccentric-cam, pivoted to the movable arm V on the movable shaft Q. Another pivoted arm, U, connects the movable shaft Q and fixed shaft S. The pressure-rodsXare fitted into a cap, d, which is pivoted on arm or shaft 6 to the eccentric-cam in such a manner that when the arm 0 of the eccentric W is caused to descend rying with them the lower cap, d, which carries the circular shaft or arm 0, which carries the frame 0 for lower movable plungers, O.

and the pressurerods are caused to descend,

carrying with them the plunger-frame G and plungers 0, it will be noticed that motion is given to the upper plungers, B, and lower plungers, C, by power communicated by the same pitman or crank-shaft P, and power is communicated in such a manner, as already indicated, that when the upper pl u'ngers, B, are

descending the lower plungers, G, are rising,

so as to compress the clay between them in the mold-openings, and when the upper plungers, B, are rising from the mold-openings E the lower plungers are descending, the strain on the frame caused by the downward pressnre of the upper plungers being counteracted by the upper pressure of the lower plungers,

thus relieving the frame of the machine from undue strain. and of pressure-bars is on each side of the machine, there being also two geared drivingw'heels, N, and crank-shafts P for operating the pressing mechanism.

For the purpose of adjusting the distance between the upper and lower sets of plungers, so as to regulate the thickness of the brickwhen pressed, the pressnrerods X, which pass through the caps d and d, are provided with threaded nutsfand f at their upper and lower ends, which are threaded to receive the nuts, and movable collars g and g with set-screws 9.

For regulating the amount of clay supplied to the molds, the device illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 is employed, in which his a hand whe'el, which movesa shaft, h, journaled in the frame,

' is pivoted to main frame at j.

The same system of leverageand carrying at each end themitered gear pinion, hflwhich meshes with the mitered gearpinion h on end of shaft '5. The other end of shaft t is threaded, working through a collar formed on one end of the pivoted bar j, which To the pivoted barj is pivotally attached the link k, in which rests the handles Zof the movable plungerframe 0 These handles work through slots min the main frame and raise the lower movable frame, G, which carries the lower movable plungers, G, which enter the mold-openings, and on which the clay falls from the reciprocating feed-frame. The ends of the pivoted bars 9', carrying the supporti ng-links k, may

thus be raised or lowered, raisingand holding the movable frame 0 up from the plungerframe 0 or lowering it down so as to rest upon the plunger-frame O, as may be desired.

On the collar 1', through which the threaded end of shaft 1 works, is fixed an indicator, m which points out the raising or lowering of thelower plungers, G, on the graduated scale n.

In Fig. 3, which is a sectional elevation lengthwise through the machine, 0 is a carrier or endless belt for carrying clay to the hopper on rollers o 0 the roller 0 being driven by power communicated from shaft m or otherwise, as desired. In front of the clay-hopper p is a compartmentfor sand, 1), which supplies When the arm 0 of the eccentric is raised by the action of the crank-shaft]? and connections,

sand to said bo'x F, as hereinafter described.

For the purpose of carrying the clay from the hopper to the mold-openings D at the proper time whenthe upper plungers, B, are raised and thelower plungers, O, are lowered, there is a can], q, centrally fixed on the main shaft O,with cam-groove q and roller q ,which is adapted to travel through the groove g, which is soshaped, as indicated, to give proper reciprocating intermittent motion to the reciprocating feed-frame G.

o is a pivoted lever-arm, pivoted at a", on which the cam-groove roller q is fixed. Alink, r",is pivoted at one end to the lever'arm r, and at the other end to the bell-crank lever s, which works on the shaft m. The long arm of this bell-crank lever has pivotally attached to its end the rod or pitman t,which is pivotally at tached to the reciprocating feed-frame G. The system of leverage, actuated by the cam causes the bell-crank lever s to rock to and fro at the proper time, and so move the feedframe G forward at the time when the plungers are moved away from each other and carry the clay to the mold-openings E. As the reciprocating feed-frame is moved forward, the bottom board, G, Fig. 3, attached thereto,is also moved forward, and closes the bottom of the clay-hopperp until it is again withdrawn, allowing the clay to be again fed into the feedframe G before the clay is dropped into the mold-openings. The dies on the lower plun- ICC IIO

with sand on the return-stroke of the pitman I, so as to prevent any adhering of the clay to the dies on the plungers.

For the purpose of discharging the bricks from the molds after having been pressed by the plungers, the lower plungers, O, are made movable and provided with a roller, 0". A discharging-lever, a, pivoted on shaft it, bears against the roller 0 at one end, and a roller, u, on the other end of the discharging-leveris acted on by a short arm, to, on the main shaft 0, which moves along with the main drivewhecl N. \Vhen the roller a at one end of the lover a is depressed, the other end of le Ver u rises, carrying with it the lower plunger, O, and raising the pressed bricks on the dies from the moldopeuings to the level of the top of the dischargetable, when the forward motion of the feed-frame G- causes the pressed bricks to be shoved by the side of the sand-box F onto the discharge-table D. \Vhcn the lever 10 is released from the action of the arm 10, the movable lower plungers, 0, fall by the force of gravity into their normal position and are ready for a fresh supply of clay.

In Fig. 4, which is a detail of the sanding device, 1) is a hopper or compartment for bolding sand, having a false bottom, 2, with sliding panel This slidingpanel is designed to cover a slit or opening in the bottom and to slide to one side, so as to permit sand to fall through into the sand-box F.

t is a spindle journaled on the main frame, and 5 a dog with curved end rigidly attached thereto.

6 is a depression formed in the side of the reciprocating feed-frame G, designed to engage with the end of dog 5, and cause the panel 3 to slide by the rocking motion communicated to shaft it, the end ofllngers 7, rigidly attached to said shaft .i, being designed to engage against the sides of rings or holes 8, formed on said slidingpancl. After the dog has been moved to one side it is drawn back into position by means of spring 1.), attached to arm 1-1 on the spindle.

i) is a circular brush on a spindle, it), journaled in the sides of thcsand'box b. To each end of this spindle are rigidly attached the wheels ll, which are designed to rest on and move on the track .12. The guide rods H, rigidly attached to the main frame of the machine, are also designed to retain the reciproeating feed-frame (,i in position, so as to keep the wheels 1]. on the tracks 12 and insure the delivery of the clay into the moldopenings The revolving brush 9 keeps the sand admitted into the box F in motion and distributes .it in a uniform manner through the open or grated bottom of the sandbox F and over the bottom of the dies on the lower plungers, as well as the top of the clay in the mold-openings, prior to pressure by the plnngers.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that clay is conveyed by the endless belt to the hopper. The reciprocating feed-frame carries it forward to the mold-opening at the proper moment, the sanding device automatically sanding the top of the dies in the lower plungers and the top of the clay dropped into the mold opcnings. The reciprocating feedframe is withdrawn at once after having been thrust forward by the cam actuated system of leverage already referred to, and as shown by the shape of the cam-groove. The plungers then approach each other in the manner de scribed and compress the clay in the molds. The movable parts of the lower plungers are then raised, discharging the pressed brick from the mold-openings and raising them up to the plane of the discharge-table, when the cam on the main shaft again causes the recip rocating feed-frame to move to the front with a fresh supply of clay to the molds and to push the clay just pressed into bricks onto the discharge-table, whence they are at once re moved. At each revolution of the geared driving-wheelbricksare automaticallyshaped, pressed, discharged from the molds, and deposited on the discharge-table.

\Vhat we claim as our invention isl. A prcssed-brick-making machine, constructed substantially as herein shown and described, comprising uppcr plnngcrs in a frame adapted to move in vertical ways, compound levers, the same power or motion communicated from the main geared driving-wheel which causes the upper plungers to rise and fall causing the lower plungers to rise and approach the upper plungers to compress the clay in the mold'opcnings and to cause the upper and lower plungers to reccde from each other after the clay has been pressed in the molds, threaded nuts and movable collars on pressure-rods for lower plungers, means, substantially as described, for regulating the amount of clay supplied to the molds by raising or lowering a movable frame for lower plungers, a reciprocating fecd-frame adapted to carry clay from hopper to the moldopenings intermittently after the clay has been pressed into bricks and to shove the pressed bricks onto a discharge-table, a pivoted lever actuated by a revolving arm to raise the brick when pressed to the plane of discharge-table, a device for automatically sanding the top and bottom of clay before pressure, and a carrier or endless belt provided for carrying clay to hopper,substantiallyasdescribedandspecified.

2. The combination, with the crank-shaft P,driven by the main geared driving-wheel,of the pivoted lcmr-arms a and b, movable shaft Q, fixed eccentric cam shaft, hinged pressureframe R and it, pivoted on said cam-shaft, hinged at Z, and pivoted to upper plungerframe,S, the movable arm V, pivotally attached to the shaft Q and pivotally connected with the cam shaft, and the upper plunger, B, and mold-opening E, designed to hold clay, substantially as specified.

3. The combination, with the crank-shaft P, driven by main geared driving-wheel, ofpivoted arm U, movable shaft Q, movable arm V, pivotally attached to movable shaft Q, and ee- ICO centric-cam VV,pivoted on fixed eccentric-cam shaft Y, pressure-rods X, fitted into caps d d and designed to raise and lower in ways '1. the lower plunger-fraine, C, and movable plunger-frame G carrying movable lower plungers, C, which are adapted to move in the mold-openings E, which hold the clay, substantially as specified.

4. The combination, with the crank-shaft P, of the pivoted lever-arms aand b, movable shaft Q.hinged pressure-frameRand R,hinged at Z, the upper plunger-frame, S, and plungers B, ways T, the pivoted arm U, movable arm V,pivotally attached to movable shaft Q. and eccentric canflV,pivoted on eccentric-cam shaft Y, pressure rods X, fitted into caps d d and designed to raise and lower the lower plunger-frame, O, carrying lower movable plungers, O, which are adapted to move in moldopenings E, which hold clay, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

5. The combination, with the prcssurerods X, threaded at each end, of the cap d, pivotally attached to eccentric-cam W, the cap d, nuts 2 ff, movablelcollarsgg', with set-screws g and and down, as specified, the movable plungerframe 0 the link 70, connecting said frame with the bar j, the indicator m fixed to the free end of said pivoted bar j, and the graduated scale n, placed on the main frame of the machine, substantially as described, and for the purpose specified.

8. The combination, with the compartment for sand, p, situate in front of and adjoining the clay-hopper, of the false bottom 2, with sliding panel 3, operated by fingers 7 on spindle 4, to which an intermittent and rocking motion is given by dog 5 engaging with depression 6 in reciprocating feed-frame G, and arm 14 and spring 13, whereby sand is intermittently admitted from the sand hopper or compartment to the sand-box F, and brush 9 on spindle 10, journaled in the sand-box F, and wheels 11, fixed on said spindle and adapted to roll on track 12 and cause the brush to r0- tate and distribute the sand evenly through the open or grated bottom of sand-box F, substantially as described, and for the purpose specified.

9. A device for sanding the top and bottom of the clayin the mold-openings prior to compression into bricks, consisting of a hopper for sand s't'late in front of and adjoining the clayhopper, with a sliding panel in the bottom adapted to be moved to one side intermittently by spring and dog engaging with the reciprocating feed-frame, so as to admit sand to a sand-box situate in front of and forming part I of the feed-frame, and containing a brush on a spindlejournaled in said box and caused to rotate, for the purpose of keeping the sand in motion within sand-box and to distribute itevenly through the open or grated bottom of the sand box, so as to sand the top and bottom of the brick, substantially as described, and

'for the purpose specified.

Gait, September 28, 1887.

WILLIAM S. SMITH. JAMES M. SMITH.

In presence of W. X. SMITH, G. R. HERRIO'I. 

